Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities
Effective voluntary action is an important part of any society that aims to be inclusive and tolerant. In order for this to happen, support needs to come from a diverse and vibrant voluntary and community sector. Voluntary and community organisations involve millions of regular volunteers and trustees as well as nearly half a million paid staff in England . The context that we are working in is becoming increasingly complex in terms of policy and funding. In addition, there are increased demands from service users with growing expectations of a high quality service. This makes further development of knowledge, skills and values absolutely essential.
NLDC [Neighbourhood Leaning in Deprived Communities] is a government project that aims to encourage innovative, accessible learning in local communities (e.g. by extending successful outreach activities from neighbourhood learning centres, voluntary/community groups and UK online centres).
The project also aims to support the development of voluntary and community sector training providers through a capacity building programme to enable them to meet the LSC provider assessment criteria (this includes providing volunteer staff training).
In West London each borough (Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon & Hounslow) has a local NLDC project running that has been funded by London West Learning and Skills Council. Further details are listed below:
Brent
Ealing
- Ealing CVS received a grant to deliver sustainable capacity building work to support 10 local community organisations within Southall from October 2004 - April 2005. The aims of this project are to:
- Target NLDC funding in the most deprived wards in the borough;
- Encourage access to community learning by new learners (particularly male learners and learners with disability;
- Provide new learning opportunities to 100-150 learners;
- Sustain and develop the new Southall Learning Network;
- Encourage collaboration, peer group mentoring and sharing of good practice between community learning organisations;
- Ensure all groups delivering community learning are aware of health and safety, and disability access issues.
For further information please phone Andy Roper at Ealing CVS on 020 8579 6273.
Hammersmith and Fulham
The “Learning with Adult Mentors Project” (LAMP), is a mentoring
scheme that trains “Adult Learner Mentors” to support people in
Hammersmith and Fulham back into education and employments. LAMP mentors might
be matched with a mentee or provide support someone they already know like
a friend, colleague or family member.
The project is particularly focused on increasing the take up of education
and training opportunities amongst under-represented groups such as people
with disabilities, people from BME/ Refugee communities, homeless people,
young mothers. It also aims to recruit mentors from the most deprived areas
of the borough.
Adult Learner Mentors participating in the project not only get the reward
of doing something really worthwhile for their community, but also have the
opportunity to further their own learning and career paths. LAMP provides
Adult Learner Mentors with valuable work experience, the chance to achieve
a City and Guilds Qualification in Adult Learner Support and access to free
careers advice and guidance. One LAMP mentor has already landed a job with
a local voluntary organisation thanks to experience gained through the project.
Other benefits for Adult Learner Mentors include: free training, free childcare
at training sessions and networking events, a free resource pack, a free mobile
phone and access to IT facilities.
LAMP is run by the council’s Adult Education Service in collaboration
with the Urban Partnership Group regeneration charity and Hammersmith &
Fulham Volunteer Development Agency. The London West Learning and Skills Council
is supporting the project with money from the Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived
Communities Fund.
To find more about the project please contact Mary Hennessy, contact details
below:
tel: 020 8746 2120/ e-mail: mhennessy@urbanpartnershipgroup.co.uk.
Harrow
Hillingdon
For information please contact:
Tania Murrell
Training and Quality Manager
Hillingdon Association of Voluntary Services
Phone: 01895 442 729
Email: atifa@havs.org.uk